ANALYSIS: Canadian Lobster Exports Recover in February After Weak Start to the Year

Last week, Statistics Canada published February trade data showing Canadian exports of Homarus americanus totaled 3,915 metric tonnes. This was up 2.1% month‑on‑month and 43.3% year‑on‑year, supported by elevated live‑lobster shipments to China for the Lunar New Year in mid‑February.

Despite February’s strength, cumulative exports for January–February are down 4.1% year‑on‑year, a shortfall concentrated in January: volumes that month were 28.4% below the previous year and 39.2% below the five‑year average. Part of January 2025’s strength...

Norway's Seafood Exports Rise 3% Despite Continued US Decline

Norway exported seafood worth NOK 15.5 billion ($1.6 billion) in March, up 3% from the same month last year, despite a third consecutive month of declining US shipments exceeding NOK 500 million.

The US market share fell to 9% of Norwegian exports, down 4 percentage points from March 2025, as increased tariffs and a weaker dollar against the Norwegian krone continued to impact trade. Salmon fillets bore the brunt of the US decline, according to the Norwegian Seafood Council.

"The main reason for the decline to the US is increased...

Mersey Seafoods Acquires Nova Scotia's Comeau's Sea Foods

Nova Scotia-based Mersey Seafoods has struck a deal to acquire fellow provincial seafood firm Comeau's Sea Foods, the companies announced April 8.

Comeau's said day-to-day operations will remain unchanged, and the company will continue operating from its Southwest Nova Scotia locations under the same name. The scallop and herring processor serves foodservice and retail sectors and also handles Atlantic salmon, haddock, halibut, and Alaska pollock.

"We have a strong foundation in the Clare community and have been a staple employer in the region," Comeau's stated. "We believe this...

Mexico Launches New Campaign to Boost Seafood Industry and Regional Economies

The National Commission of Aquaculture and Fisheries (Conapesca) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRICULTURA) have initiated "Mexico Sabe a Mar"—or "Mexico Tastes like the Sea". This campaign brings together more than 100 producers to boost awareness of seafood's role in the food industry while strengthening regional economies through increased commercialization.

The fishing and aquaculture industry is vast in the region. Conapesca's registry shows 328,932 workers collectively producing 2.17 million tons of seafood in 2025, based on preliminary harvest...

Nomad Foods Expands Executive Leadership with Two Newly Created Roles

Nomad Foods Limited is expanding its executive leadership with two newly created roles designed to strengthen the company's presence in European markets.

Chief Executive Officer Dominic Brisby said, "Both roles will help sharpen our commercial execution, enhance agility and create greater alignment between our local teams, our brands, and our long-term strategic priorities." He added, "I am delighted to welcome Jon this month and look forward to completing the appointment of our President for Central Europe later this year. Each leader will...

Oil Spill Prompts Protests and Government Response in Veracruz

Residents of Veracruz, Mexico, marched on Easter demanding answers and aid following an oil spill that has spread for hundreds of miles across the Gulf of Mexico, affecting the Mexican coastline.

In a video published by The Star, protester Santa Hernandez states, "Is is Easter and our lagoons are still polluted. Yesterday, oil reached the beaches of El Salado and the coral reefs. Two new dead turtles appeared on the beaches of Punta San Juan. Fish in the sea with tar stains show that the spill is still affecting the...

Aquaculture Tech Giant AKVA Group Considers Sale Following Strong Growth

AKVA Group, an aquaculture tech group, announced that its board of directors has initiated a strategic review to maximize shareholder value, which could lead to a potential sale or “value creative business” combinations.

AKVA Group said today that, after years of investments in technology, operational scale and system integration, the firm has entered a period of “strengthened commercial momentum” across all of its business segments.

Revenues have increased from NOK 3.4bn ($357 million) in 2023 to NOK 4.4bn in 2025, representing a CAGR of 13.7%, accompanied...

The Retail Rundown: Pre-Summer Lull Ahead of Seasonal Grocery Spike

With Easter behind us, the retail sector is settling into its somewhat of a seasonal slowdown, offering grocers a brief breather before the summer sales rush kicks in.

The next few weeks are expected to be relatively calm, though early indicators, like warmer weather and evolving promotions, hint at rising demand as Memorial Day nears.

Even amid the lull, retailers are actively adjusting their merchandising strategies, shifting focus from cold-weather products to grilling and outdoor cooking essentials. Items like steaks and burgers are increasingly taking center stage as...

VNIRO: Saury Stock Recovery Expected Within 4-5 Years in Russian Waters

Russia expects to see a recovery in catch volumes for some key fish species this year after several years of serious production declines.

Saury catch is receiving particular attention. In 2025, saury production in the Japanese zone increased to 65,000 tons from 17,000 tons the previous year. Scientists are recording signs of saury population recovery, which may contribute to increased Russian catches this year.

Alexey Baitaluk, deputy director of the Russian fisheries research institution VNIRO, said the situation with depleted saury stocks in the North Pacific is generally...

ANALYSIS: Chilean Atlantic Salmon Harvest Surges 15.4% in 2025 as Mortality Rates Decline

Chilean Atlantic salmon harvest reached 815,288 metric tons (MT) in 2025, a 15.4% increase year over year (YOY). Harvest volumes accelerated significantly from August through December (Figure 1). Early 2026 performance remains strong, with accumulated harvest through February totaling 135,377 MT, a 26.5% increase year-to-date (YTD) compared to the same period in 2025. While harvest declined 16.2% between January and February, volumes remained 20.5% higher YOY...

Alaska Peninsula Communities File Suit to Void Conflicted Fisheries Regulations 

Canada Commits $1.1 Billion to Renew Pacific Salmon Recovery Strategy

The Government of Canada has released results from the first phase of the Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative (PSSI) alongside announcing a major renewal of the program under Canada’s Nature Strategy.

Phase 1, from 2021–2026, of the PSSI focused on protecting, conserving, and restoring wild Pacific salmon across British Columbia and Yukon through broad collaboration with Indigenous partners, governments, scientists, and local communities. The initiative laid "the foundation for long-term recovery" by advancing habitat restoration, improving fishery management, and expanding...

ANALYSIS: February US Shrimp Imports Hold Steady as Ecuador Fills India's Peeled Shortfall

February warm-water shrimp imports totaled roughly 139 million pounds, reflecting a modest 0.3% year-over-year decline that was smaller than our forecasted 0.5% drop. Beneath the stable headline, however, significant compositional shifts continued to reshape the import mix: Ecuador gained substantial peeled share while India's peeled volumes contracted sharply, and shell-on flows remained below model expectations. These dynamics underscore the ongoing rebalancing as tariffs, certification issues, and origin-level supply patterns drive substitution across both countries and product forms...

Trump's Proposed 2027 Budget Slashes NOAA by $1.6B Despite Maritime Investment

President Trump's proposed fiscal year 2027 budget delivers massive cuts to NOAA, reducing Operations, Research, and Grants programs by $1.6 billion while providing a comparatively modest $135 million increase for shipbuilding and unmanned systems.

The budget represents a net reduction of approximately $1.465 billion to NOAA, with the administration targeting what it calls "Green New Scam programs" while attempting to refocus the agency on core fisheries management and maritime infrastructure.

The $1.6 billion in cuts eliminates educational grants, climate adaptation programs, and research initiatives...

Seafood Expo Global Reveals 38 Award Finalists from 17 Countries Ahead of Barcelona Show

Seafood Expo Global has announced 38 finalists for its 2026 Seafood Excellence Global Awards, representing 17 countries in a competition that highlights innovation trends across retail and foodservice segments ahead of the industry's flagship trade show in Barcelona.

The finalists span an expanded geographic footprint, with two additional countries represented compared to 2025, underscoring the global reach of seafood product development. Winners will be revealed April 21 during the opening day of Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global at Fira de Barcelona's Gran Via venue...

Russian Pollock Roe Auction Bid Prices Around $5.00 Per Kilo in Busan, Korea

According to the Minato Shimbun, the auction for this season's new harvest of Russian pollock roe, which began in earnest in Busan, South Korea, in March, has seen contracted quantities of approximately 12,600 tons as of the first week of April, according to sources, falling below the same period last year at approximately 15,000 tons. This is believed to be due to delays in transport vessels and to production delays in January and February.

Auction prices so far have been around $5/kg..

Kura Sushi Posts Higher Sales and Continued Expansion in Second Quarter

Kura Sushi reported strong second-quarter sales growth and narrower year-over-year (YOY) losses as the revolving sushi chain continued expanding across the US.

For the quarter ended Feb. 28, total sales increased 23% to $80 million, while comparable restaurant sales rose 8.6% YOY. The company posted an operating loss of $2.2 million and a net loss of $1.7 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, compared with a net loss of $3.8 million, or $0.31 per diluted share...